Perhaps your gynecologist or gynecologist has prescribed unfractionated heparanin during pregnancy. Do not worry, it is increasingly common for this drug to be used during pregnancy. Heparin it is an anticoagulant which is used to avoid the formation of clots. It also prevents the growth of those that have already formed in the blood vessels.
To solve your doubts, your doctor is always there, but we want to help you and explain some questions, such as importance of blood circulation in pregnancy, both for you and your baby. We also tell you how to give it to you or the side effects it has.
Importance of blood clotting in pregnancy
It is important that you know why it is necessary to have good circulation during pregnancy. If you have been prescribed heparin, is to prevent blood clots, which can alter the development of the child.
Baby needs blood circulation is excellent, both to receive oxygen and to feed. If the blood from the placenta does not circulate as it should and thrombi develop, the fetus will not be able to nourish itself properly or obtain the necessary oxygen.
Yourself you can inject the heparin, since it is done through intravenous or deep subcutaneous route. And the ideal is to give the injection at the same time every day. The dose will be told by the doctor. Don't be afraid to prick yourself in the abdomen. There is no risk of crossing the placental wall, much less damaging the fetus.
What pregnant women are prescribed heparin?
In general, the use of heparin is recommended by the gynecologist or hematologist:
- Pregnant women who, after a hematological study, have been detected that their blood clots more than usual. In general, they are women with severe hypertension, obesity, advanced age, or significant varicose veins.
- If in another pregnancy you have already had episode related to your blood circulation. If this is your case, the risk of suffering them again increases even three times.
- At avoid repeat abortions, or pregnant women with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- In pregnant women with dehydration pictures, or those that have been immobilized for a long time.
You will most likely have to wear the heparin too, after delivery, during quarantine, since the incidence of thrombi is multiplied by four during the puerperium. You can also breastfeed your baby, because unfractionated heparin is allowed during breastfeeding.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Health has published a document in the recommends using heparin in those COVID19 positive pregnant women during pregnancy and after giving birth. The coronavirus increases the risk of thromboembolic disease, which is why it is necessary that pregnancies with Covid-19 receive treatment with heparin.
Side effects of heparin during pregnancy
In general, the side effects associated with the use of heparin are cutaneous type. Sometimes sores appear in the area where you inject it, bruising, hair loss or even redness. On more serious cases, and very rare, vomiting, difficulty walking, vertigo, fever, or even black stools or blood in the urine may occur.
Obviously, if you are allergic to this drug you should tell your doctor, because it can cause skin rashes, fever, asthma and anaphylaxis, and there is a possibility of connection with adult respiratory distress syndrome. Typically, your doctor has asked you about what other medications you take, including herbal products, because it can interfere with their results.
Tests that have been carried out on the use of heparin in pregnancy have confirmed that it does not produce adverse effects on the fetus. Heparin has a potential for osteoporosis, which can lead to bone loss in pregnant women, but this effect is reversible.